US3799261A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Technique for measuring fluid drift
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1972-04-12
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1992-04-12
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is a method for determining the presence and magnitude of fluid drift within a subterranean formation. A volume of a tracer chemical is injected into the formation by means of a well. The tracer is then displaced through the formation by injecting a volume of tracer-free fluid through the well. The volume of this displacing fluid is at least 25 percent of the total injected fluid. The well is then shut-in for a sufficient period of time for the tracer to move through the formation due to the influence of fluid drift, and the well is then returned to production. By measuring the time periods of production, injection, and shut-in and the corresponding production and injection volumes, the presence and magnitude of fluid drift within the formation can be determined. This method has particular applicability for use in conjunction with a tracer method for determining fluid saturations within the subterranean formation.
Inventors
- 👤 H Deans
- 👤 R Dalton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:23
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/10; E21B47/11; E21B49/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for determining the presence and magnitude of fluid drift within a subterranean formation containing at least one fluid and penetrated by a well which comprises injecting a volume of a tracer fluid into the formation by means of the well; then injecting a volume of a tracer-free displacing fluid into the formation by means of the well, the volume of the tracer-free displacing fluid being at least 25% of the total fluid injected; then shutting in the well for a sufficient period of time to permit the injected tracer fluid to move a detectable distance through the formation due to the influence of a fluid drift of at least 0.2 feet per day; then producing fluids from the formation by means of the well; analyzing the produced fluids for the presence of the tracer; measuring values for the time period of fluid injection, the time period of fluid production, the time interval between fluid injection and production, and the volumes of fluids injected and produced; and analyzing said values to determine the presence and magnitude of fluid drift within the formation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for determining the presence and magnitude of fluid drift within a subterranean formation containing at least one fluid and penetrated by a well which comprises injecting a volume of a tracer fluid into the formation by means of the well; then injecting a volume of a tracer-free displacing fluid into the formation by means of the well, the volume of the tracer-free displacing fluid being at least 25% of the total fluid injected; then shutting in the well for a sufficient period of time to permit the injected tracer fluid to move a detectable distance through the formation due to the influence of a fluid drift of at least 0.2 feet per day; then producing fluids from the formation by means of the well; analyzing the produced fluids for the presence of the tracer; measuring values for the time period of fluid injection, the time period of fluid production, the time interval between fluid injection and production, and the volumes of fluids injected and produced; and analyzing said values to determine the presence and magnitude of fluid drift within the formation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein the volume of tracer-free fluid is approximately equal to the volume of tracer fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein the volume of a tracer-free fluid is between one and one-half times the volume of the tracer fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said tracer is capable of reacting within the formation to form at least one reaction product.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as defined by claim 4 wherein said formation contains a mobile fluid phase and an immobile fluid phase and wherein said tracer and said reaction product have differing partition coefficients with respect to said fluid phases.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as defined by claim 5 wherein said tracer and said reaction product are produced by means of the well and a chromatographic property related to said tracer and a chromatographic property related to said reaction product are measured to determine the relative amounts of fluid phases existing within the formation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said tracer is a radioactive isotope.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said tracer fluid comprises an aqueous carrier fluid containing a tracer chemical.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined by claim 8 wherein the concentration of said tracer chemical in said carrier fluid is approximately 1 to 2 percent by volume.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as defined by claim 9 wherein said tracer chemical is ethyl acetate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |